Marriage equality advocates concerned about what they call a “destructive” church campaign against same-sex marriage are hopeful of a meeting with Cardinal George Pell to explain why the campaign will backfire on the Church.
Australian Marriage Equality Acting National Convener, Peter Furness, said it is destructive for priests to advocate against same-sex marriage from the pulpit because it tears congregations apart and potentially harms young same-sex attracted Catholics.
“Those Catholic priests who are following the Church’s orders by speaking out against marriage equality during Mass are violating their pastoral duty by encouraging prejudice and potentially ostracising same-sex attracted Catholics and their families”, Mr Furness said.
“The Church is free to lobby against equality if it wishes, but attempting to enlist ordinary Catholics in its campaign will back-fire because many Catholics, like many other Australians, support marriage equality.”
AME has written to Cardinal George Pell seeking a meeting to discuss its concerns, and Cardinal Pell has responded saying he is “open to considering such a meeting”.
For more information contact Peter Furness on 0425 848 723.
A report about parishioners angered by clergy speaking out against marriage equality at a Christmas Mass can be found here: http://www.gympietimes.com.au/story/2010/12/28/anti-gay-marriage-message-offends-lobby-mass-cathl/
Copies of the correspondence between AME and Cardinal Pell can be found on the websites of AME and the Catholic Arch-diocese of Sydney:
A report about the Church’s campaign against equality can be found here: